#91 - Spring Planting in Kings Park

Look closely around Kings Park and you will find patches of yellow dotting the landscape; the forsythia are in bloom. That can only mean one thing, time to start thinking about your lawn and garden. That’s why a trip to Kings Park Garden Center makes our list of 100 Things To Do in Kings Park.   

Owner Dave Kercher opened Kings Park Garden Center three seasons ago and describes it as a full service garden center, offering both annual and  perennial plants as well as trees, shrubs, lawn and plant fertilizers and foods, soil, mulch, tools and more.

With spring here, Kercher says it’s time to think lawn care and crab grass control.

"It’s about cleaning the yard and beds, getting rid of all sticks, rocks and other debris and fertilizing with a pre-emergent.”

Kercher alsol reminds us that in Suffolk County it is illegal to fertilize until after April 1st.

With the mild weather upon us, it’s tempting to be overeager in the garden. Kercher warns that planting most annuals should wait until the threat of frost is gone. A good rule of thumb is waiting until Mother’s Day. But April is the perfect time to start summer-flowering bulbs indoors. Gladiolus, cannas, and dahlias can be started in pots inside and then moved outdoors once the temperature warms up.   

There are, however, cool weather flowers that can be planted right now that will add color and beauty to your garden.  Such favorites include cheerful pansies, highly fragrant hyacinths and bright forsythia and daffodils. Don’t forget your cool weather vegetables. Now is the perfect time to plant lettuce, peas, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots, just to name a few.

April is also a perfect time to plant trees and shrubs. Kercher explains if you wait until the hotter months it becomes a little more difficult as they are growing while their roots are trying to get established. If you plant arborvitae in the hot months, be sure to feed and water sufficiently. The Garden Center offers a helpful watering suggestion for the backyard gardener; measure rainfall with a rain gauge posted near the garden so you can tell when to water. The garden needs about one inch of rain per week from April to September.

Along with preparing garden beds and lawns, spring is a good time to check your lawnmower and other lawn care equipment.  It’s also a wonderful time to check out your bird feeders for winter damage, clean out your bird houses so new families can move in and even consider putting up a bat house to attract our insect eating friends. Did you know that a single brown bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in one hour?

Category: Garden, Plants, Flowers, Outdoors
Price: $
Season: Year round
Note:

Kings Park Garden Center, 174 Main Street, Kings Park.

631-544-7020

Store Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 5pm
Sunday 9:00 am - 3pm 

Did you miss #92?and see what you missed.